My Pixie Blog

Competitions: Gugg Mastery

There is an urban legend in the architectural community: every architect will have one penis building by the end of their architectural career. And by no means is the new proposal, by Enrique Norten of TEN Architectos, for a new Guggenheim Museum in Guadalajara, Mexico an exception. Located at the end of a giant cliff (the Barranca), this phallus erects 200m high. This is in stark contrast to the limp surroundings of Guadalajara. The shaft will be comprised of giant white steel boxes of different sizes randomly stacked, for exhibition rooms. A double layered glass exterior, which will allow views of the gorgeous surrounding scenery, as well as let light into the spaces, will be placed over it for comfort and protection. There will be two elevators on the exterior of the building, so when the Navy visits and culminates at the top roof garden, the seamen can cascade down the sides getting that final spectacular view, and the money shot.

As every man/city is proud of their prize piece, so will Guadalajara. This will be another great addition to the already impressive plate of museums the Guggenheim has: Wright's NY, Gehry's Bilbao, Koolhaas' Vegas, and Tommy Lee's pants. The spaces seam like they will be very well lit; the city will have an iconic building to represent them; and as with Bilbao, tons of bills should be expected to be placed in Guadalajaras G-String. Norten has designed a winner here.

In the words of the great William Bannister "was that gay?".

posted by Anonymous @ 2:03 PM